Whiteside can not be traded.

[James lamphear]

One thing you got have another teams wants Whiteside and Bazemore to even think about taking them. Nurk and Whiteside can't play together due neither of them can guard the premeter. I don't think Whiteside will be traded because we don't know if the conversation to Nurk and Whiteside has came up by Olshey and Stotts when Nurk comes back who going to start. Maybe both have accepted what was told to them in the conversation. There a lot behind the scenes we don't know about so we speculate all we want.

 

[Natebishop3]

you better damn well get back a great player who would be an immediate starter and has considerable upside.

That's the plan, isn't it? I don't think Neil is planning on trading Hassan for some scrubs.

 

[Tince]

what "solid vets" do you see them being traded for? especially ones that would magically catapult Portland into being a "legit contender"...? that seems like way too high a standard

I mean, Bazemore had the value of Evan Turner, and Whiteside had the value of Meyers and Harkless....and both trades happened 5 months ago. Would Turner, Harkless, and Meyers make Portland a "legit contender" next year?

the only way Portland becomes a contender is if they land another player of Dame's caliber. Another player at the level of Hood won't do it. Portland's issues aren't centered in the middle & lower parts of the rotation, it's higher. Another couple of role players isn't bringing a championship to Portland

This is a great question. I'm not sure I agree that the only way Portland can contend would be to add a top 10 player in the NBA. To some degree we were contending last year, even missing Nurk.

The issue is that in 2016 we spent $228 million. If Whiteside and Baze walk, we'll have zero to show for those signings. Guys like Dwight Jaynes have claimed this trade-deadline is where the Olshey will be shown wise that the overpaid for nearly every free agent they signed, because they'll be "valuale" trade chips. I think that's a weak arguement, but walking away with nothing (including significant cap space) would have to be deemed a failure, right?

 

[Tince]

Why not go down that road? That's like saying we shouldn't draft Chris Paul because of Sebastian Telfair. It's nonsense. When and if that time comes where you need to trade a center, you do it. Now isn't that time. It's fine if you can get a great piece back, but there's no reason to be on the losing end of a trade because you're worried about what your currently injured center says in a year and a half.

If you're trading one of the best big men in the league who won't cost you more than 12 mil when re-signing him, you better damn well get back a great player who would be an immediate starter and has considerable upside.

You're confident Whiteside is as good as you're saying he is, but will resign to come off the bench for $12M/year next year? Those two things don't really add up.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

what "solid vets" do you see them being traded for? especially ones that would magically catapult Portland into being a "legit contender"...? that seems like way too high a standard

I mean, Bazemore had the value of Evan Turner, and Whiteside had the value of Meyers and Harkless....and both trades happened 5 months ago. Would Turner, Harkless, and Meyers make Portland a "legit contender" next year?

the only way Portland becomes a contender is if they land another player of Dame's caliber. Another player at the level of Hood won't do it. Portland's issues aren't centered in the middle & lower parts of the rotation, it's higher. Another couple of role players isn't bringing a championship to Portland

Would you do, Bazemore and WS for Hayward and Marcus Smart? That would really make their bench legit and give them another option at the 3 while Hood recovers. If Zach and Nurk are healthy going into next year that seems pretty good, and it gives Boston cap space (though I'm not sure how much).

 

[Sheldon Shape]

You're confident Whiteside is as good as you're saying he is, but will resign to come off the bench for $12M/year next year? Those two things don't really add up.

Did I say he would agree to re-sign to come off the bench? I didn't.

You promise him the starting job to start. Nurk won't be better than Hassan to start the season. If the team isn't performing as it should, then we reserve the right to reassess that decision.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

That's the plan, isn't it? I don't think Neil is planning on trading Hassan for some scrubs.

Some are suggesting we MUST trade him. I'm simply suggesting that if we aren't getting a fair return then it is more beneficial to keep him and try to re-sign him.

I don't think Kevin Love is a scrub but I also don't think trading Hassan for Love is a good or fair trade.

 

[Natebishop3]

This is a great question. I'm not sure I agree that the only way Portland can contend would be to add a top 10 player in the NBA. To some degree we were contending last year, even missing Nurk.

The issue is that in 2016 we spent $228 million. If Whiteside and Baze walk, we'll have zero to show for those signings. Guys like Dwight Jaynes have claimed this trade-deadline is where the Olshey will be shown wise that the overpaid for nearly every free agent they signed, because they'll be "valuale" trade chips. I think that's a weak arguement, but walking away with nothing (including significant cap space) would have to be deemed a failure, right?

Man I look around the league and I just don't see much that interests me.

Blake Griffin? Huge contract and really not playing very well.

Kevin Love? Huge contract and not a star anymore.

LMA? Probably would be the best fit here but doesn't really move the needle that much.

If you look at the teams that are really just under performing or mediocre, they don't have much that would vault us into the top three. We really need a star player at small forward. I'm also not sold on Zach being a power forward. I think he's a great player to have off the bench who can play both front court spots. I think that makes him extremely valuable, but I have enjoyed having Melo as a solid scoring option at the four. We have missed that.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

Some are suggesting we MUST trade him. I'm simply suggesting that if we aren't getting a fair return then it is more beneficial to keep him and try to re-sign him.

I don't think Kevin Love is a scrub but I also don't think trading Hassan for Love is a good or fair trade.

I'd rather have Kevin Love than nothing though. If those are the two choices. No one is saying they should trade Whiteside for some team garbage.

 

[Natebishop3]

Some are suggesting we MUST trade him. I'm simply suggesting that if we aren't getting a fair return then it is more beneficial to keep him and try to re-sign him.

I don't think Kevin Love is a scrub but I also don't think trading Hassan for Love is a good or fair trade.

I really don't think Love does that much for us. I'm not really convinced he's much better than Melo at this point. He's averaging 16 and 10.

Blake Griffin is even worse. He's averaging 16 and 4.

Sadly, the best player that might be available is LMA.

 

[Tince]

Did I say he would agree to re-sign to come off the bench? I didn't.

You promise him the starting job to start. Nurk won't be better than Hassan to start the season. If the team isn't performing as it should, then we reserve the right to reassess that decision.

So you think he's better than a top 10 center in the NBA and will take $12m/year?

 

[Tince]

I really don't think Love does that much for us. I'm not really convinced he's much better than Melo at this point. He's averaging 16 and 10.

Blake Griffin is even worse. He's averaging 16 and 4.

Sadly, the best player that might be available is LMA.

I'm scared you are right. $228m in salary 4 years ago and all we might have in return is getting LMA back outside his prime. Yikes

 

[Lanny]

Maybe we can keep Hassan and Nurk will be the backup center for 15-20 each night. But we have to trade Bazemore for an upgrade at small Forward

Hood, yes, Bazemore, no.

 

[Natebishop3]

I'm scared you are right. $228m in salary 4 years ago and all we might have in return is getting LMA back outside his prime. Yikes

The player that intrigues me the most is Draymond. He's 29, he's an exceptional defender and passer, and he is capable of scoring when needed. I would rather try to add someone like Draymond and then pick up a wing that can score.

 

[Lanny]

One thing to note is Olshey has already said the plan is to go forward with the idea that next years starters are Nurk, Zach, Hood, CJ and Dame. I know a lot can and will happen over the next few months but it sounds as if he knows keeping Hassan is not going to happen and if thats the case it seems a little silly to get nothing for him this summer.

I think Hassan’s been good this year and He’s done what theyve asked but my guess is from those comments they are planning to trade him and baze too more than likely.

What happened to keeping Anthony.

 

[Natebishop3]

What happened to keeping Anthony.

Personally I'd love to keep Melo, but have him come off the bench. Not sure he'd accept that role and I think he has shown enough to get a spot on another team.

 

[Lanny]

There are three optimal, but highly unlikely, scenarios with Whiteside. 1) Nurk comes back in January and is in playing shape by the trade deadline, and Whiteside gets traded for a major rotation player on a 3-4 year contract. 2a) Nurk has a comfortable rehab period backing up Whiteside, and a sign and trade is arranged or 2b) Whiteside starts feeling his age, and signs a reasonable 4 year contract with the expectation of coming off the bench sooner than later (Maybe 21-22 season?).

I don't see any of these happening, so we will have plenty to bitch about. Still, nothing as terribly frustrating as the RLEC, because we got a rental at a position and time of need.

Whiteside has plenty of productive years to go.

 

[Lanny]

Personally I'd love to keep Melo, but have him come off the bench. Not sure he'd accept that role and I think he has shown enough to get a spot on another team.

He'll come off the bench. Who else is gonna start him?

 

[Natebishop3]

He'll come off the bench. Who else is gonna start him?

Might not even be a matter of starting him. I don't think WE will start him, and if he's going to come off the bench, I could see him going to the Lakers or Clippers.

 

[Tince]

The player that intrigues me the most is Draymond. He's 29, he's an exceptional defender and passer, and he is capable of scoring when needed. I would rather try to add someone like Draymond and then pick up a wing that can score.

After the Warriors get the #1 pick and get all their guys back, I'd be surprised if GS let him go, but he could be a great addition.

 

[Tince]

He'll come off the bench. Who else is gonna start him?

Unless he's had a change of heart, I think no team offering him a starting role is the reason he was out of the NBA for a year.

 

[Lanny]

Might not even be a matter of starting him. I don't think WE will start him, and if he's going to come off the bench, I could see him going to the Lakers or Clippers.

He shines with Portland because he fits in well with the team. That's hard for a person who loves basketball and the NBA to give up.

 

[Lanny]

After the Warriors get the #1 pick and get all their guys back, I'd be surprised if GS let him go, but he could be a great addition.

The very best the Warriors could do would be to get a 14% chance of winning the no. 1 pick.

 

[Sheldon Shape]

So you think he's better than a top 10 center in the NBA and will take $12m/year?

At his age and reputation? Yes. As we've seen the past few years, centers are drastically losing value in the free agent market. I think Hassan will have trouble finding an offer of 12 mil per year.

 

[Tince]

At his age and reputation? Yes. As we've seen the past few years, centers are drastically losing value in the free agent market. I think Hassan will have trouble finding an offer of 12 mil per year.

You may be right. The disconnect I'm having is that you're now saying you think a guy at his age with a bad reputation is better than Nurk. Maybe I missed it earlier in the thread, but do you not think very highly of Nurk? You think he won't be able to fully recover from his injury?

 

[hoopsjock]

One thing to keep in mind for people talking about cap space. The absolute most we can get is around $12 million (unless Hood leaves in which case it could get up to $18 million).

Meanwhile the Mid-Level Exception is expected to be over $9.7 million. So as long as they don't go too far over the cap with a trade and can still use the Full MLE the difference in player between having cap space and not isn't really enough to warrant wanting to preserve that cap space.

 

[GDiama]

The player that intrigues me the most is Draymond. He's 29, he's an exceptional defender and passer, and he is capable of scoring when needed. I would rather try to add someone like Draymond and then pick up a wing that can score.

GS seems like they will go for another title run next year so i i suppose Draymond is not available. Report by Woj said that not even Russell is available or at least not currently on the block. I think they want to see first what player they get in next draft and then make their moves. All players locked in contracts so they won't lose value till summer so they have to wait till then.

 

[SharpesTriumph]

Unfortunately you’re right. I love the idea of Nurk and Whiteside being able to be the centers because that would be a heck of a pairing but it just doesnt make sense.

What team is building their center spot around Whiteside earning 20+ million a year when he's on the wrong side of 30?

His last two teams had him second on the depth chart.

He may not want to be a backup but with all the cheap effective centers he may not be guaranteed anything more.

I'm fine keeping Whitside this season and sign him for $12 ish million in the summer. We dont know if Nurk will even be worthy of starting in 2020-21 and then he will be a free agent too.

 

[tlongII]

Depends on our position in the standings and our play at the end of the year. If the Blazers think they can make a run they will keep him.

 

[TorturedBlazerFan]

What team is building their center spot around Whiteside earning 20+ million a year when he's on the wrong side of 30?

His last two teams had him second on the depth chart.

He may not want to be a backup but with all the cheap effective centers he may not be guaranteed anything more.

I'm fine keeping Whitside this season and sign him for $12 ish million in the summer. We dont know if Nurk will even be worthy of starting in 2020-21 and then he will be a free agent too.

Nurks not a FA til 2022.
Whitesides not gonna get 27M again but I highly doubt he’s getting 12, and also with as much as I would like to see Nurk / Whiteside. It seems so unrealistic to keep him, people are basically on one hand saying he’s great on then other hand saying he’s going to be ok taking a massive paycut and playing from the bench. I get that your argument is he’s got no choice theres no market for him. Neither he or Nurk have done well in the past coming off the bench. If the Market for him is that bad why do we want the Blazers to be the team that over pays him?
I dont know where Nurk will be at in his recovery but by next season he should be back to normal, clean break with no nerve damage it should be ok.

I really dont think they have a shot at going on any type of run this year unless something crazy happens and Zach, Nurk are both playing and playing very well by the time the playoffs come.